Portable Apparatus for Hydrotherapy, Fluid-Therapy, Thermotherapy, Homotherapy with or without presence of topical medication in a medium

Abstract

An apparatus and/or appliance to provide hydrotherapy coupled with thermotherapy, massaging, and/or application of topical medication or holistic natural remedies for one's extremities.

1 ) A Hydrotherapy, Thermotherapy, Homotherapy Apparatus for use by an individual to massage single extremity.
 An apparatus consisting of a vessel that will hold mediums such as tab water, heavy or sea/salt water, and/or light mineral oil. The vessel can accommodate a person's extremities such as; a) wrist, hand, and fingers, b) elbow, c) ankle, foot, and toes, and/or d) knee, through a membrane orifice mounted on the top led (see  FIG. 1 ) that surrounds and hugs the extremity at the point of entry therewith preventing the medium from splashing out of vessel while the apparatus is under its intended use. The operator may choose to bring the fluid medium content of the vessel to a pre-determined temperature with use of its control panel, thereby adding thermotherapy to the fluids buoyancy that has already eased movement and exercising of said submersed extremities. The present invention provides (depending on the applicable claim herewith that determines the size and utility of the vessel) a heat generating source that may be a Cartridge Heating Element, Tubular Heating Element, Flexible Heating Element, Band Heating Elements, Cable Heating Elements, or any other special heating element therewith stimulating the blood circulation and blood vessels and enhancing one's natural healing ability. The heating source may be immersion or inline type depending on the utilization of any of the claims established herewith. The present invention is further equipped with a submersible pump (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a circuit of micro injector jets that mix the pumped medium with air through venturi function built-in the injector jets (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) therewith adding the hydrotherapy or fluid-therapy as the case might be to the individuals use. This, the latter capability of the present invention adds the massaging function to the heat and buoyancy of the medium, which together with one's free movement exercise maximizes the post surgical, post injury, toning and shaping, post or pre sport event exercise benefits for the extremities. The vessel operation is managed through a built-in control panel that constantly monitors the vessel content temperature. The control (see  FIG. 4 ) panel has two different models depending on required function. First, in case of inline heating source, once the operator sets the temperature (e.g., 104° F.) and toggle the ON button, the pump will start circulation; the heat sensor will communicate with the control panel as to the existing temperature. While the sensor reports temperature less than set point, the heating source will remain ON. Once the set point is reached, the heat source will only be turned ON by the control panel as to compensate for the heat loss during the operation. Once the user turns the unit OFF, the operation of the both the pump and the heat source will cease. Second, in the case of submersible heat source, upon user turning ON the apparatus, the heat source will elevate the temperature to bring the contentment to the desired set point. Assuming that the set point is established to be 104° F., the control panel will turn the pump on when a heat sensor reports a temperature of at least 10° F. less than the set point. This will provide for medium to be warmed up in absence of use by the operator but to become to its full function at a temperature still convenient for the user to use. Similarly, once the set point is reached, the heat source will only be turned ON by the control panel as to compensate for the heat loss during the operation. Once the user turns the unit OFF, the operation of the both the pump and the heat source will cease.   
   
   
       2 ) Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  which is further characterized by:
 Its use by an individual for simultaneous submersion of; both wrists, hands, and fingers, or both ankles, feet, and toes, or one or both elbows, or one knee. The size of the vessel and the number, size and/or capacity of other accommodating parts including the pump, heating element, and micro injector jets are proportionately increased as to accommodate the proper functioning of the larger apparatus.   
   
   
       3 ) Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  which is further characterized by:
 Its use in public spa and sport clubs as well as sport arenas and stadiums including enclosed boxing rings. The size of the vessel and the number, size and/or capacity of other accommodating parts including the pump, heating element, and micro injector jets are proportionately increased as to accommodate simultaneous use by two or more individuals who may be in facing, side by side, or sitting around the vessel position.   
   
   
       4 ) Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 ,  2 , and  3  which is further to include: A three way drain valve that will either be in a position to circulate the vessel medium used in the apparatus as claimed under configurations  1 ,  2 , and  3 , or be set to a position that the pumping action will cause the medium be drained outside of the vessel. This shall make cleaning and maintenance easy on any and all prior claims.